Oldest Arthropods Found Preserved in Amber [Image]

A team of scientists has discovered the oldest record of arthropods preserved in amber. They are from the Triassic period and are about 100 million years older than any other such specimens. The amber droplets, most between 2-6 millimeters long, were found buried in the Dolomite Alps of northeastern Italy. After analysis, scientists found two gall mites and a one fly. Surprisingly, the specimens look quite similar to the insects we see today.

Editor's Recommendations

Nina Sen

Nina Sen is a frequent contributor to Live Science’s Life’s Little Mysteries series: an exploration and explanation of our world’s phenomena, both natural and man-made. She also writes astronomy photo stories for Live Science's sister site Space.com.